Roy Exum: Blackburn - Bad Choice

Wednesday, October 11, 2017
- by Roy Exum

Roy Exum

When Bob Corker announced two weeks ago he did not intend to run for re-election to the Senate, it was rumored in just a matter of days the popular Corker would run for governor. Then Bill Haslam, immensely popular, mulled a term-limits move to Corker’s office and conservatives were giggly. But in the way the machine works, the ideal plan didn’t turn out – not at all. Neither plans to run and suddenly the shaky Tennessee Republicans are plumb out of good horses.

One political thermometer has already moved Tennessee from “solidly Republican” to “likely Republican.” The Nashville manipulators are pressing hard for the despicable Marsha Blackburn to carry its flag – the congresswoman has already announced in a two-minute tape riddled with poor judgement. Another woman, Diane Black, is equally loathed in sound Tennessee Walking Horse circles, and her intent to buy the governor’s chair is obvious. And wrong.

What is not as obvious is that the “Dirty Lick,” this what the seedy side of the horse industry is called, is so horribly metastasized inside the state Republican leadership it could be fatal in both the Senate and the governor’s race. Both Blackburn and Black have taken tens of thousands from the sickos at the National Walking Horse Celebration, which has been controlled in the last five scandalous years by Republican fundraiser and Dirty Lick overlord Steven B. Smith.

Steven B. rose to heights as Lamar Alexander’s state campaign chairman and Lamar has rewarded him richly, blocking any and all effort in the state to eliminate the sadistic and nauseating “soring” of Walkers. Three years ago legislation to reform the 1970 federal Horse Protection Act was introduced and the PAST Act (Prevent all Soring Tactics) was extremely popular. An undercover tape of hall of fame trainer Jackie McConnell brutalizing a Walker had inflamed horsemen around the world – literally -- and thus the PAST Act has enjoyed wide bipartisan approval every year since.

For three years the majority of Congress and the Senate have co-sponsored the bill, only to watch Alexander and Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell block every attempt. Why? Alexander and McConnell have each accepted obscene donations that can be directly traced to the Dirty Lick every year.

Two years ago, when Ohio’s John Boehner was Speaker of the House, campaign donations from the Shelbyville types flooded his campaign coffers – this in Ohio! -- and Boehner, to no one’s surprise, refused to call the properly documented and prepared bill to the floor. Better yet, not one of Tennessee’s repugnant Republican members of Congress -- all seven -- nor either Senator who swear they represent the people have ever endorsed the PAST bill.

The biggest reason is because Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black have been the biggest villains in the house. You see, the Dirty Lick has given huge receptions for Marsha, where she is said to pocket $30,000 each time for playing nice - nice with the scallywags. She could care less. The winner of this year’s Grand Championship in August was banned from the show ring for eight months by the USDA just hours after he won in an obvious fix. No way is that happenstance.

I can hardly wait for Marsha Blackburn – presumably the only candidate Steve B. Smith will push on the Republican side -- to explain how her estimated net worth increased from $643,008 in 2014 (per Center for Responsive Politics) to somewhere between $2.5 million (Forbes) and $3.1 million (vipfaq.com). Her husband allegedly is in the bow-tie business so I’m thinking … what? investments of some type? And you are going to vote for someone who increases her net worth five-fold in just three years on Congress pay?

Here’s my rub: Is Marsha Blackburn getting on the rocket ship “because she’s paid her dues” or because the Republican machine thinks she has the best chance to keep a highly-prized seat? Neither: I have no doubt she can be beat and when she just ran afoul of Twitter on Monday for some senseless nonsense about Planned Parenthood “selling baby body parts,” wait until you see the video of her shooting a gun. I’m thinking she’s going to hang herself with her own rope before next November. She is, as Hillary Clinton might factually say, “deplorable.”

Diane Black, who claims she keeps her RN license current just in case, has a net worth of $178 million. I know, it can’t match the Haslam billions (with a ‘b’) after the Warren Buffett buy just increased the pile higher than the Rockies, but the pompous Black must bear equal blame for the Dirty Lick’s stranglehold against all that is good and decent, and I urge anyone to find out what she really thinks about in the dark when she is by herself.

The fact is Tennessee’s a red state and the only option for conservatives – outside of Blackburn and Black, is to vote for Democrats. Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black are most assuredly not our kind of human beings. Each exemplifies all that is wrong with Washington but the Republican chess masters want you to believe these two are good and decent people’s only choice.

Baloney.

* * *

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Those who disrespect our flag have never been handed a folded one.

First and foremost, my heart and prayers go out to all the victims and family in the horrific and brutal Florida school shooting. Hearts and minds of all U.S. citizens will always have a special place for these innocent people who were ruthlessly gunned down. The first conclusion that people want to jump to is gun control and point fingers at our government and law makers who ... (click for more)

It wasn’t lost on me that during Valentine Week, when we most remember those we love, this first story was included in my weekly email. As has become my habit, every Saturday I try to come up with a new edition of The Saturday Funnies because I get some delightful ones that are shared by my friends during the week. We must never waste a giggle. So in keeping with my ... (click for more)

One person was killed Saturday morning on Ochs Highway. Another person in the same vehicle was taken to the hospital. An 18-wheeler was coming down the mountain, and hit three cars traveling up the mountain. Ochs Highway was closed in both directions, and HAZMAT crews were at the scene. The wreck happened at mid-morning. (click for more)

A home was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning in Hixson. Around 2:30 a.m. , the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded to a possible house fire at 904 Wesley Drive in Hixson. When the first unit arrived on the scene, they reported the second floor of the home was completely engulfed with fire. Firefighters conducted a defensive ... (click for more)

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Chattanooga-area wrestling teams didn’t dominate the TSSAA traditional state tournament this weekend like they have in the past, but they were better than average and still had a lot to celebrate. All three teams that won titles in the State Duals here at the Williamson County Agricultural Exposition Park came back to win again this time, including Cleveland ... (click for more)

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – For the most part, seedings for postseason high school basketball tournaments hold up well. There are upsets, at times. Some mild. Some more stunning. On “Semifinal Saturday” in District 5-3A at Walker Valley High School, three favorites won, including both higher seeded girls’ teams. Second-ranked Bradley Central, unbeaten at 27-0 and the No. ... (click for more)